Grimoires and Where to Find Them by Raconteur, Honor (ebook reader for laptop .txt) 📕

you wanted something more than a platonic friendship. I know you were writing letters, trying to figure out how to change our relationship.”

A pink flush invaded his cheeks, and he looked away, off to the side. “I’m a little embarrassed to tell you.”

If he thought he could evade this question and I would let him slide, he had another thing coming. I was way too curious. Maybe I could tickle it out of him.

No, try the nice method first. I kissed him again, lightly, teasingly, as if I could coax the answer from his lips. “Don’t be embarrassed, just tell me.”

“I told you it was about six months before we agreed to court.”

That smelled of evasion. And he still couldn’t look me in the eye. “Yes, I know the time frame. But what tipped you over?”

“I don’t actually have an answer for you,” he finally admitted softly. “It’s not that I’m evading. I’ve thought on it many times, but I don’t know. I can’t pinpoint a specific time and say, ah, it was then that my heart changed. And because of that, I can’t figure out why.”

It sounded to me that his heart had finally overruled his head. Henri was a very logical thinker, so this was probably odd for him, weird for his heart to have the bigger say. He really did look confused on this point, and frustrated that he didn’t know the answer.

I switched questions to help him out. “What made you try the love letters?”

“Ah, that I know how to answer. I woke up one morning from a very vivid dream. It wasn’t anything dramatic, but the two of us were out together, having a day of it. At one point, you leaned in to tease me about something, as you’re wont to do.”

Guilty as charged. He blushes cutely, what can I say.

“And then when I spluttered, you kissed me before twirling away with a laugh. It was all so natural in the dream, so easy and simple, our shared affection. I woke up, caught between the dream and reality, and felt hollow at the realization I didn’t have that with you.” His smile was rueful. “I couldn’t bear the feeling. I decided I had to at least try.”

That was a pretty good reason. And yet the question remained, “Whhhy would you hesitate for so long? Six months after that dream, really?”

“Part of it was the culture gap.”

His fingers found their way into my hair, loose for once, and smoothed it. It was an easy way for him to avoid looking me in the eye again. The blush had not faded.

“I didn’t know how a man would approach you in your culture. You accommodate me so much, and I know most of it isn’t natural for you. It’s something you’ve adopted to fit in better here. I didn’t want to start us off on an awkward footing.”

Yeah, okay, that was a genuine concern. We were still figuring out a good way to date that felt natural for both of us. It was easier than I’d feared because we’d been friends for so long, but we did hit those awkward moments.

“And part of it was, I didn’t know how to change our relationship from friends to lovers without throwing us completely off-kilter. Or if you were even interested in doing so. You’re surrounded by some rather amazing men on a regular basis and never show any romantic interest in them, so it made me wonder. Perhaps you wanted to be a career woman.”

Also a good point. I’d not shown my interest in him out of the same fear. “Still. Six months? Am I really that scary?”

“Formidable,” he corrected, grin crooked. “Most of the women in my life are. I was relieved when you said something because I was finally assured we were on the same page.”

Apparently, I’d had to. Henri was way too shy to actually ask a woman out. Although once he got comfortable with you, he became really easy to date. Which was a good thing for both of us.

“I was very happy we were on the same page, too,” I said. “I honestly wasn’t sure.”

“Then what made you reach out?”

“I hate limbos. And I figured, if nothing else, maybe you’d be flattered? That I wanted to date you.”

“Well, I was and am. Very flattered.” The smile on his face spoke volumes. “I’m also relieved we fit rather well together. Our awkward moments are few and far between, and easily rectified, which is far better than I expected.”

“Same.”

“It would have helped tremendously if you had fewer big brothers,” he continued, making a face.

It took a second to click, then my jaw dropped. “Did you get the shovel talk? From all of my male friends?”

“I think Marshall was the only one who didn’t say something.”

I threw my head back with a laugh, then listed sideways into the couch. “And you’re still willing to date me?”

“Oh, you can laugh now,” he groused, meaning it. “I was the one who had to put up with it.”

“Well, now I know why they all keep asking how things are going.”

“Do they really?”

“On an almost weekly basis, someone asks me.”

Henri growled in irritation. “I do know how to treat a woman properly, you know.”

I waggled my eyebrows at him mischievously. “Well, I know. And don’t worry, I’m reassuring them.”

“A relief, most definitely.”

He was so cute when he was peeved. I’d had no idea any of the guys had given him the shovel talk, but it didn’t actually surprise me, now that I thought about it. They were all protective types, and since I had no family readily on hand to protect my honor, of course they’d feel obligated to step in. Really, I’m very blessed to have amazing friends here in this world.

And an equally amazing boyfriend who puts up with all the craziness around me. You know what? For that, he deserved a good make-out session. I set about it with a smile lurking on my face.

Henri made an inquiring